'Swallows and Amazons' as a shorthand phrase for good parenting and bringing-up of children

I agree with JG that the reference here to Swallows & Amazons is ironic, but this usage is not new - it has gone into the modern language. I know of a married couple who split up - they had children, and they were both remarried to people who also had children from previous marriages (this situation is by no means unique). About two years ago one of the mothers described to me the awkward confusion at holiday weekends, when she hardly knew which child was which and groups of siblings were bussed all over the place and hurriedly handed over in doorways because their parent did not want to meet a former spouse. She sighed and said "It's hardly Swallows and Amazons, is it?"